“What is the policy of the Indian Railwayswith regard to posting railway policemen on outstation trains?” the Bombay High Court asked the railways to explain on Tuesday.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and AK Menon gave the direction after the railways informed the court that it was facing a shortage in Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, and hence, a guard is not available on every train.

The court was hearing from advocate Uday Warunjikar, counsel of one Bhavika Mehta who lost a leg while chasing a thief on an outstation train in 2012. Warunjikar said there had been no policeman present on the train when the incident happened. More info